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Fathers and daughters construction of fatherhood in one low-income, semi-rural, Coloured community

Scheffler, Frederika (2014-12)

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.

Thesis

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fatherhood literature in South Africa agrees that a look beyond the absent father phenomenon
is necessary and that the focus should rather be on the potential of biological and social
fathers who are present in their children’s lives. Although fathers are important in the healthy
development of both boys and girls, the fathering of adolescents daughters has received
limited research attention. For these reasons, this study focused on fathers and their
adolescent daughters in one low-income, semi-rural, Coloured community in the Cape
Winelands district of the Western Cape, South Africa. The objective of this exploratory study
was to investigate fathers’ and adolescent daughters’ constructions of fatherhood. The study
was informed by social constructionism and utilised a social constructionist informed
grounded theory methodology. Forty-two interviews were conducted with fourteen fathers
and adolescent daughters. They were interviewed separately and 29 hours and 47 minutes of
interview material were obtained. Data collection, transcription, and analysis took place
concurrently. Five conceptual categories were identified: Both the fathers and the daughters
focused on the importance of the provider role and daughters’ obedience. Their relationship
was spoken of in terms of having an understanding, while the expression of affection
appeared to accompany special occasions only. Fathers also emphasised their wish for their
daughters to have a better future and spoke at length about their efforts and strategies for
ensuring this. Lastly, fathers’ expected daughters to do as they were told and not to follow
fathers’ bad examples (e.g. alcohol abuse). The core category focused on the underlying
assumptions inherent in the dynamic of the relationship, namely an hierarchical and patriarchal gender order. There seemed to be evidence of both affirmation of and resistance
against the patriarchal gender order. Although it seemed that the traditional masculine and
feminine ideology continue to hold sway, the presence of New Father discourse suggests the
beginning of a shift towards more equitable gender relations and therefore the possibility of change. Recommendations for future research and interventions based on this analysis were
also discussed.